Saxenda^®

GLP-1 medications mimic the action of the GLP-1 hormone that is naturally released by the body and can help to reduce appetite, decrease overeating, and lose weight.

It’s possible to see weight loss in the first month of treatment. However, because everyone responds differently to medications, it may take some time to find the dose that works best for you. Most people lose weight with continued treatment after a few months. We recommend aiming for 1-2 pound weight loss per week, but your healthcare provider can provide personalized guidance based on your individual response.

• Helps control blood sugar by enhancing insulin secretion
• Protects the heart, improves heart function, reduces blood pressure, and lowers risk for heart disease
• Improves brain health, possibly by reducing inflammation and protecting nerve cells
• Supports liver health including metabolic-associated fatty liver disease 
• Reduces inflammation 
• Helps with cholesterol (especially bad cholesterol)

A hormone is a chemical messenger that travels through the blood to reach different organs and tissues. 

Brand-name GLP-1 medications are manufactured and sold exclusively by specific pharmaceutical companies. They are FDA approved, meaning they are subject to rigorous testing for safety and efficacy. They often require insurance approval, which can lead to delays and prior authorization requirements. Given high demand, brand-name GLP-1 medications are also subject to supply shortages.

Compounded versions of GLP-1s are made with the same active ingredients as brand-name drugs. They are custom-made by specialized pharmacies and do not receive FDA approval. As such, it’s important to only get compounded GLP-1s from a trusted resource, like Nurx, that follows protocols to ensure quality and safety. Compounded GLP-1s tend to be more accessible and affordable, making them a practical option for those without insurance coverage or facing barriers to brand-name medications. The quality of our compounded GLP-1 medications is of the utmost importance. Our base materials for compounded GLP-1s are sourced only from FDA-registered manufacturers. Each batch is pharmacist reviewed and third-party tested to ensure quality and safety standards are met. All batches receive a Certificate of Analysis (CoA), a document which confirms and summarizes all of the tests performed on a drug to confirm it meets required quality standards. All medication batches are tested for sterility, potency, pH, endotoxicity, and more.

Please note, compounded drugs are not FDA-approved or evaluated for safety, efficacy, or quality. Nurx weight management compound drug offerings are not available to patients in California or Hawaii. All of Nurx’s compounded medications are prepared by our partner pharmacy. 

We recommend you contact your insurance company via the number on the back of your card to see if you have coverage for branded GLP1s.  You can also go directly to the manufacturer’s website and enter in your information to determine if you have coverage. Insurance coverage for brand-name GLP-1 medications typically require prior authorization, meaning your provider must get approval from your insurance company before you can get the prescription. This process can take several weeks and isn’t always approved, especially if the medication is prescribed for just weight loss (rather than diabetes).

The most common side effects of Saxenda® in adults include nausea, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, injection site reaction, low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), headache, tiredness (fatigue), dizziness, stomach pain, and change in enzyme (lipase) levels in your blood.

Saxenda® may cause serious side effects, including:

• Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis). Stop using Saxenda® and call your healthcare provider right away if you have severe pain in your stomach area (abdomen) that will not go away, with or without vomiting. You may feel the pain from your stomach area (abdomen) to your back
• Gallbladder problems. Saxenda® may cause gallbladder problems, including gallstones. Some gallbladder problems need surgery. Call your health care provider if you have any of the following symptoms: pain in your upper stomach (abdomen), fever, yellowing of your skin or eyes (jaundice), or clay-colored stools Increased risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) in adults with type 2 diabetes who also take medicines to treat type 2 diabetes such as sulfonylureas or insulin
• Signs and symptoms of low blood sugar may include: shakiness, sweating, headache, drowsiness, weakness, dizziness, confusion, irritability, hunger, fast heartbeat, and feeling jittery. You should check your blood sugar before you start taking Saxenda® and while you take Saxenda®
• Increased heart rate. Saxenda® can increase your heart rate while you are at rest. Your health care provider should check your heart rate while you take Saxenda®. Tell your health care professional if you feel your heart racing or pounding in your chest and it lasts for several minutes
• Kidney problems (kidney failure). Saxenda® may cause nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea leading to loss of fluids (dehydration). Dehydration may cause kidney failure, which can lead to the need for dialysis. This can happen in people who have never had kidney problems before. Drinking plenty of fluids may reduce your chance of dehydration. Call your health care provider right away if you have nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea that does not go away, or if you cannot drink liquids by mouth
• Serious allergic reactions. Stop using Saxenda® and get medical help right away if you have any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction including swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat, fainting or feeling dizzy, very rapid heartbeat, problems breathing or swallowing, or severe rash or itching
• Depression or thoughts of suicide. You should pay attention to any mental changes, especially sudden changes, in your mood, behaviors, thoughts, or feelings. Call your health care provider right away if you have any mental changes that are new, worse, or worry you
• If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, please call 911 or  go to your nearest emergency department. If you are contemplating suicide, call 911 or call/text the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. These services are available 24/7.
• Food or liquid getting into the lungs during surgery or other procedures that use anesthesia or deep sleepiness (deep sedation). Saxenda® may increase the chance of food getting into your lungs during surgery or other procedures. Tell all your healthcare providers that you are taking Saxenda® before you are scheduled to have surgery or other procedures

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

We are here to help you manage side effects. If you experience side effects, be sure to let your provider know as they can provide personalized guidance and educational content. They may even be able to prescribe treatment to help you manage these concerns.

For any serious or severe side effects, please seek in-person medical care.

To help mitigate any side effects you might experience from these medications, your provider will likely have you start with a low dose of treatment and gradually increase it over time to reach the target dose. If you do experience side effects, your provider can offer personalized guidance and resources to help. They also may prescribe treatment to help manage certain side effects if appropriate.

We don't know if Saxenda® is safe in pregnancy. Because it may harm a baby if taken during pregnancy, stop taking Saxenda® as soon as you know you are pregnant. If you plan to get pregnant, stop taking Saxenda® at least 2 months before you start trying to conceive. This is important because it takes time for Saxenda® to leave your body. It is not known if Saxenda® passes into your breast milk. You and your health care provider should decide if you will use Saxenda® or breastfeed.

If prescribed, the Saxenda® prescription will be sent to your preferred local pharmacy, where you can fill the medication at your convenience. You’ll need to check in with your pharmacy to make sure this medication is in stock as supply shortages can occur. This medication is not available for home delivery through Nurx.

The medical consult fee is $39. Patients will also be charged a monthly provider support fee of $59/month. If you are prescribed Saxenda®, pricing typically starts at $1300/month on average for lowest dose without insurance coverage (ask your local pharmacy to confirm the price). You will pick up and pay for your medication at your local pharmacy.